Fla. airport closed when destructive device found

The Associated Press

October 2, 2013 8:08:44 AM

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville International Airport was shut down for several hours after authorities found two suspicious packages -- one they said was destructive -- that led to an evacuation.

The airport was evacuated around 6 p.m. Tuesday after police found a suspicious package in the terminal and another in a nearby parking garage. It reopened just before 11 p.m.

During a late-night news conference, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office spokesman Shannon Hartley said one of the packages "had some destructive nature" and was taken offsite. He did not elaborate.

Hartley also said he could not confirm local media reports that two suspects had been arrested.

Passengers and people who arrived at the airport to pick them up were stranded for hours as officials investigated.

Authorities said some incoming planes were held up on the tarmac until buses arrived to pick up passengers. The passengers were shuttled to nearby hotels.

With the airport reopening late Tuesday, airport spokesman Michael Stewart said individual airlines would determine how to restart their operations.